100 Ways to Holiday Here This Year Index

Discover the 100 ways to holiday here this year.

Start planning your next Australian holiday by reading our 100 by experience.

Coast

Here is one to eight of the best coast holidays.

1. Be revitalised on the Sapphire Coast, NSW

2. Sleep in style at Bon Sol in Burleigh Heads, Qld

3. Stay at the Ship Inn Stanley, Tas

4. Have a vintage summer holiday on the Tweed Coast, NSW

5. Explore the legacy of Cooktown, Qld

6. Do an empty Esky tour of Shoalhaven, NSW

7. Swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, WA

8. Hike the Cape to Cape Track, WA

Cities

Here is nine to 20 of the best city holidays.

9. Discover a different side of Cairns, Qld

10. Take the perfect short break in Canberra, ACT

11. Plan a weekend in Brisbane, Qld

12. Stay at Moss Hotel in Hobart, Tas

13. Check into a neighbourhood hotel

14. Have a staycation in your city

15. Eat, drink and stay in Coogee, NSW

16. Go wild in the city at Taronga Zoo Sydney, NSW

17. Experience Perth’s cool new arrivals, WA

18. Find out what’s hip in Newcastle, NSW

19. Explore Melbourne’s hidden gems, Vic

20. Do a festival (or five) in Adelaide, SA

Islands

Here is 21 to 28 of the best island holidays.

21. Escape to private Picnic Island, Tas

22. Revisit Kangaroo Island, SA

23. Discover Fraser Island’s many surprises, Qld

24. Unwind at Kittawa Lodge on King Island, Tas

25. Have an eco-friendly holiday on Rottnest Island, WA

26. Seek out the foodie secrets of Flinders Island, Tas

27. Get acquainted with Australia’s island paradises

28. Cruise to the intriguing Abrolhos Islands, WA

Outback

Here is 29 to 40 of the best outback holidays.

29. Find outback luxury at Mt Mulligan Lodge, Qld

30. Feel remote at Berkeley River Lodge on the Kimberley Coast, WA

31. Explore Alice Springs in an unexpected way, NT

32. Ride the Savannahlander train through outback Queensland, Qld

33. Tour the incredible landscape of the Coral Coast, WA

34. Make it your mission to see Australia’s most amazing rocks

35. Set out on a multi-day outback hike

36. Experience wild glamping in the outback

37. Be surprised in the Top End, NT

38. See the wildflowers of WA and beyond

39. Visit Australia’s gorgeous gorges

40. Stay on an outback station

Icons

Here is 41 to 48 of the iconic holidays.

41. Find island bliss in the Whitsundays, Qld

42. Plug into Uluru and Kings Canyon, NT

43. Jump aboard Australia’s new iconic train journey, Qld–SA

44. Seek out the best wild swimming spots in Kakadu, NT

45. Spend time at a secret beach

46. Explore the red-rock wilderness of the East Kimberley, WA

47. Discover the other side of Byron Bay, NSW

48. Rediscover Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tas

Indigenous

Here is 49 to 57 of the best Indigenous experiences.

49. Buy art from Australia’s best Indigenous artists, NT

50. Trace an ancient songline on the Dampier Peninsula, WA

51. Join a women’s only tour in Arnhem Land, NT

52. Do Geraldton’s Yamaji Drive Trail, WA

53. Explore the Flinders Ranges from a traditional perspective, SA

54. Catch an Indigenous festival

55. Join a rock art tour in Quinkan Country, Qld

56. Find Tasmania’s (not so) hidden Indigenous culture, Tas

57. Have an urban Indigenous experience

Regional

Here is 58 to 67 of the best regional holidays.

58. Take your pick in Bilpin, NSW

59. See Townsville in a whole new light, Qld

60. Escape to the country in Bathurst, NSW

61. Discover coffee and culture in Murwillumbah, NSW

62. Go on tour in Bendigo, Vic

63. Embrace the natural wonders of Wolgan Valley, NSW

64. The first-class appeals of five second cities

65. Discover old-school charm and new ideas in Northam, WA

66. Rock on in the Granite Belt, Qld

67. Go off-grid in a tiny house

Food and Wine

Here is 68 to 81 of the best food and wine holidays.

68. Sample the dynamic food and wine scene in Orange, NSW

69. Unearth the surprises of the Scenic Rim, Qld

70. Have a long weekend on Bruny Island, Tas

71. The sites and culinary delights of the Southern Highlands, NSW

72. Tour the wineries and distilleries of McLaren Vale, SA

73. Go luxe in the Barossa Valley, SA

74. Road trip through the Yass Valley, NSW

75. Explore the hip highlights of the Adelaide Hills, SA

76. Catch the ferry to Geelong, Vic

77. Tour the Mornington Peninsula’s hinterland, Vic

78. The sights and baked delights of Musk, Morpeth and more

79. Hit the road to Mudgee, NSW

80. Upgrade your next cellar door visit with Ultimate Winery Experiences

81. Enjoy the earthy spoils of the Margaret River region, WA

Family

Here is 82 to 89 of the best family holidays.

82. Go houseboat hiking on the Murray River, SA

83. Have a winter escape in the Aussie ski fields, NSW + Vic

84. Encounter Australia’s unique wildlife

85. Camp out in the Grampians, Vic

86. Revisit Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill, Vic

87. Have an adventure on the Eyre Peninsula, SA

88. Sleep over on the Great Barrier Reef, Qld

89. Take a family-friendly rail trip

Road Trips

Here is 90 to 100 of the best road trip holidays.

90. Eat your way around the Murray River Valley, NSW

91. Visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and towns of the Mid North Coast, NSW

92. Journey through the Greater Blue Mountains, NSW

93. Cross the Nullarbor and other iconic road trips

94. Do the Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld

95. Discover Tassie’s Deep South, Tas

96. Stay in style in Daylesford, Vic

97. Tour the towns of the Great Alpine Road, Vic

98. Road trip through East Gippsland, Vic

99. See the world’s second largest canyon, NSW

100. Drive the Limestone Coast, SA

You can also explore the top 100 ways to holiday here by state.

New South Wales

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in NSW.

1. Be revitalised on the Sapphire Coast, NSW

2. Have a vintage summer holiday on the Tweed Coast, NSW

3. Do an empty Esky tour of Shoalhaven, NSW

4. Eat, drink and stay in Coogee, NSW

5. Go wild in the city at Taronga Zoo Sydney, NSW

6. Find out what’s hip in Newcastle, NSW

7. Discover the other side of Byron Bay, NSW

8. Take your pick in Bilpin, NSW

9. Escape to the country in Bathurst, NSW

10. Discover coffee and culture in Murwillumbah, NSW

11. Embrace the natural wonders of Wolgan Valley, NSW

12. Sample the dynamic food and wine scene in Orange, NSW

13. The sites and culinary delights of the Southern Highlands, NSW

14. Road trip through the Yass Valley, NSW

15. Hit the road to Mudgee, NSW

16. Eat your way around the Murray River Valley, NSW

17. Visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and towns of the Mid North Coast, NSW

18. Journey through the Greater Blue Mountains, NSW

19. See the world’s second largest canyon, NSW

Victoria

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Victoria.

20. Explore Melbourne’s hidden gems, Vic

21. Go on tour in Bendigo, Vic

22. Catch the ferry to Geelong, Vic

23. Tour the Mornington Peninsula’s hinterland, Vic

24. Camp out in the Grampians, Vic

25. Revisit Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill, Vic

26. Stay in style in Daylesford, Vic

27. Tour the towns of the Great Alpine Road, Vic

28. Road trip through East Gippsland, Vic

Tasmania

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Tasmania.

29. Stay at the Ship Inn Stanley, Tas

30. Stay at Moss Hotel in Hobart, Tas

31. Escape to private Picnic Island, Tas

32. Unwind at Kittawa Lodge on King Island, Tas

33. Seek out the foodie secrets of Flinders Island, Tas

34. Rediscover Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tas

35. Find Tasmania’s (not so) hidden Indigenous culture, Tas

36. Have a long weekend on Bruny Island, Tas

37. Discover Tassie’s Deep South, Tas

South Australia

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in South Australia.

38. Do a festival (or five) in Adelaide, SA

39. Revisit Kangaroo Island, SA

40. Explore the Flinders Ranges from a traditional perspective, SA

41. Tour the wineries and distilleries of McLaren Vale, SA

42. Go luxe in the Barossa Valley, SA

43. Explore the hip highlights of the Adelaide Hills, SA

44. Go houseboat hiking on the Murray River, SA

45. Have an adventure on the Eyre Peninsula, SA

46. Drive the Limestone Coast

Western Australia

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Western Australia.

47. Swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, WA

48. Hike the Cape to Cape Track, WA

49. Experience Perth’s cool new arrivals, WA

50. Have an eco-friendly holiday on Rottnest Island, WA

51. Cruise to the intriguing Abrolhos Islands, WA

52. Feel remote at Berkeley River Lodge on the Kimberley Coast, WA

53. Tour the incredible landscape of the Coral Coast, WA

54. See the wildflowers of WA and beyond

55. Explore the red-rock wilderness of the East Kimberley, WA

56. Trace an ancient songline along the Dampier Peninsula, WA

57. Do Geraldton’s Yamaji Drive Trail, WA

58. Discover old-school charm and new ideas in Northam, WA

59. Enjoy the earthy spoils of the Margaret River region, WA

Northern Territory

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in the Northern Territory.

60. Explore Alice Springs in an unexpected way, NT

61. Be surprised in the Top End, NT

62. Plug into Uluru and Kings Canyon, NT

63. Buy art from Australia’s best Indigenous artists, NT

64. Join a women’s only tour in Arnhem Land, NT

Queensland

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Queensland.

65. Sleep in style at Bon Sol in Burleigh Heads, Qld

66. Explore the legacy of Cooktown, Qld

67. Discover a different side of Cairns, Qld

68. Plan a weekend in Brisbane, Qld

69. Discover Fraser Island’s many surprises, Qld

70. Find outback luxury at Mt Mulligan Lodge, Qld

71. Ride the Savannahlander train through outback Queensland, Qld

72. Find island bliss in the Whitsundays, Qld

73. Join a rock art tour in Quinkan Country, Qld

74. See Townsville in a whole new light, Qld

75. Rock on in the Granite Belt, Qld

76. Unearth the surprises of the Scenic Rim, Qld

77. Sleep over on the Great Barrier Reef, Qld

78. Do the Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld

Across multiple states

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year across Australia.

79. Take the perfect short break in Canberra, ACT

80. Check into a neighbourhood hotel

81. Have a staycation in your city

82. Get acquainted with Australia’s island paradises

83. Make it your mission to see Australia’s most amazing rocks

84. Set out on a multi-day outback hike

85. Experience wild glamping in the outback

86. Visit Australia’s gorgeous gorges

87. Stay on an outback station

88. Jump aboard Australia’s new iconic train journey, Qld–SA

89. Seek out the best wild swimming spots from Kakadu to the Kimberley

90. Spend time at a secret beach

91. Catch an Indigenous festival

92. Have an urban Indigenous experience

93. The first-class appeals of five second cities

94. Go off-grid in a tiny house

95. The sights and baked delights of Musk, Morpeth and more

96. Upgrade your next cellar door visit with Ultimate Winery Experiences

97. Have a winter escape in the Aussie ski fields, NSW + Vic

98. Encounter Australia’s unique wildlife

99. Take a family-friendly rail trip

100. Cross the Nullarbor and other iconic road trips

Discover more on the 100 ways to holiday here this year hub.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.